“I don’t think this changes anything. This weekend the two joint leaders managed a point between them, so little really changed. What did happen is that we lost the derby and Inter are back in the Scudetto race,” said the Coach.

“If you look at the game, Inter just waited to strike on the counter-attack and played with 10 men behind the ball, so it wasn’t easy for us to find space. We had to score early or face a brick wall.

“Milito did very well, as he only had a tiny corridor to get the ball in and he placed it perfectly. We could’ve scored many times, but instead were caught on the counter-attack. Ignazio Abate also made a similar mistake two years ago against Milito and I could see in his face that he was heartbroken.

“Inter are a very physical side who defend better in tight spaces. Perhaps I could’ve put Robinho on straight after the break, but we were playing well and Pato’s pace was important in the one-on-one against Lucio and Walter Samuel.
“We had a few chances to equalise, but weren’t sharp enough and the goalkeeper performed some fine saves. Ultimately Milan played and Inter defended.”

Allegri admits the lead-up to this clash was not the best for Milan, as on Thursday Alexandre Pato rejected a €35m transfer to PSG, destroying the bid for Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez.

“It was a chaotic week, an unnecessarily chaotic one. Up until a few hours ago we were top of the table, yet the media painted it as if Milan had a thousand and one problems. The Rossoneri will continue to fight for the Scudetto till the end.

“It was a decision made by the club and Pato. I never said I wanted to send Pato away, especially as we had already lost Antonio Cassano, so Tevez was meant to replace Cassano.

“Is it over for Tevez? I don’t know, you’d have to ask the club.

“Now I have to put together the few midfielders I have left for the next game.”